Narrow win signals decline in Singapore party's dominance

by Alex Kennedy - Aug. 28, 2011 12:00 AMAssociated Press

SINGAPORE - Former Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Tony Tan won a narrow victory to become the country's seventh president, officials said Sunday, but the close result was a sign that the popularity of the Asian city-state's ruling party is eroding.

The 71-year-old Tan received 35 percent of about 2.1 million votes in Saturday's election.

The announcement of the results was delayed by a few hours as election officials recounted the votes because of the tight contest between the top two candidates.

The election was Singapore's first contested vote for president - mainly a ceremonial position in the country's parliamentary government - since 1993.

"I plan to work my utmost for Singaporeans whatever be their political affiliation," Tan said after the results were announced. "The presidency is above politics."

Analysts were closely watching the performance of Tony Tan, who was backed by most of the political establishment, as a barometer of voter discontent with the ruling People's Action Party, which has held power since 1959.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and the PAP did not officially endorse Tan, but Lee praised Tan last month and didn't mention any of the other three candidates.

In May, the PAP's vote total in parliamentary elections fell to 60 percent - its lowest since Singapore split from Malaysia in 1965 - amid a backlash against soaring housing prices, a surge in foreign workers and rising income inequality.

The PAP maintains a large majority in parliament, with 81 of 87 seats.

But its grip on power - which was once so complete that the party controlled every parliament seat and its candidates won most districts unopposed - appears to be slipping.